Sole fitting machines



June 16, 1964 c. KULIK ETAL 3,137,154

SOLE FITTING MACHINES Filed May 16, 1962 5 'SheetsSheet 1 65 J- 66 Inventors A Z bhonse (I KuZ /f Robert WBradZe By their Attorney June 16, 1964 A. c. KULIK ETAL sous FITTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 16, 1962 June 16, 1964 A. c. KULIK ETAL SOLE FITTING MACHINES Filed May 16, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lhnu' illu June 16, 1964 A. c. KULXK ETI'AL sou: FITTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 16, 1962 desired bevel angle on the edge of the sole.

United States Patent F 3,137,154 SOLE FITTING MACHINES Alphonse C. Kulilr, Ipswich, and Robert W.Eradley, .Marhlehead, Mase, assignors to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Boston, Mass, a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,61 6 Claims. (Ci. 69-6.5)

This invention relates to a machine for operating on shoe parts, and has particular reference to an improved machine for cutting and roughing the marginal portion of soles to provide an edge of desired thickness and to prepare the surface of the marginal portion for receiving sole cement.

The invention is described herein as being applied to a machine of the typein which a feed roll and an edge gage co-operate to pass the margin of the sole under a rotary cutter tilted at an appropriate angle to produce a In a machine of this type the sole edge is maintained against and fed past the edge gage by the action of the feed roll, so that feeding and guiding of the sole through the cutting position is automatic, with no guiding by the operator being necessary.

In this type of sole preparation it has been found desirable to impart a thinner edge to the shank portion of the sole than to the forepart portion, to provide a more satisfactory appearance to the finished shoe. Such difference in thickness may be provided by varying,'during the cutting operation, the distance between the sole edge and the cutter, by either moving the supporting table di rectly toward and away from the cutter, or by tilting the table in such a manner as to change the angle of bevel being produced by the cutter.

Means have heretofore been provided in machines of i the type herein illustrated to enable the operator to change the angle of cut as the sole is fed past the cutter. Such method has the disadvantage of depending on the skill 1 of the operator to effect the desired change in bevel angle at the predetermined position, and this is diificult to accomplish because of the speed with which the sole passes through the machine.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine of the type described in which means is provided for varying automatically, the thickness of the edge of a sole during its passage through the cutting positions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the type described in which means is provided responsive to lateral turning movement of the sole during its passage through the machine to effect a change in depth of cut at the sole edge.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a machine embodying the features of the invention; V

"FIG. 2 is a top' plan view of the support table, sole driving and guiding mechanism and cutter of the machine of FIG. 1, with the cutter driving'mechanism being omitted for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a view in section on line III-III of FIG. 2 illustrating the drive wheel and drive wheel tensioning mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the supporting table, partly broken away to show the tilting mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a view in section taken on line V-V of FIG. 4; l

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line VI-VI of FIG. ,4 showing the tilting mechanism of FIG. 5 as seen from 3,l3?,l5d Patented June 16, 1964 ice the right side when the table is in the tilted position for operating on the shank portion of a sole;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the table in position for operating on the forepart of a sole;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the table showing schematically the action of the sole in actuating the table tilting control mechanism when operating along the inside of a sole;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing schematically the action of the sole in actuating the table tilting control mechanism when operating along the outside of a sole;

FIG. 10 is a view in section taken on line X--X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view in section taken on line XI-XI of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit of the machine.

Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated a sole beveling machine it which comprises a supporting table 12, a sole feeding mechanism 14, and a cutter mechanism 16 disposed above the table 12.

The cutter mechanism comprises a toothed cutting wheel 18 disposed on the end of a shaft 20 which is suitably retained in a housing 22, and is driven by means of a pulley 24 connected to any suitable source of power (not shown). The housing 22 is so mounted on the machine frame as to incline the axis of the cutting wheel 18 at a small angle to a line perpendicular the surface of the table 12.

The sole feeding mechanism 14 comprises a feed wheel 26 mounted on the end of a shaft 28, which is driven by gearing 30 from a suitable source of power (not shown). The shaft 28 is retained in a housing 32 pivotally mounted at 34 to the machine frame to enable the feed wheel 26 to move toward and away from the plane of the table.

For resiliently urging the feed Wheel into frictional engagement with a sole, the housing 32 is biased toward the plane of the table by means of a spring 36 disposed between an abutment 38 on the frame and an adjusting knob 40 on a rod 4 2' secured to a lever 44 on the housing. The minimum spacing between the feed wheel and the table is controlled by means of a set screw 46 in the frame abutting an extension 48 on the housing. The periphery of'the wheel 26 is provided with axially inclined teeth 49 to assist in feeding the sole in a manner to appear hereinafter.

To enable the angle of bevel of the sole periphery to form St has a base 52 provided with arcuate raceways 54 on each side, receiving rollers 56 disposed on a support 58 mounted below the table 12.

in FIG. 6 in which position the platform is disposed at a predetermined angle to the table to produce a proper bevel to the periphery of the shank portion of a sole, and a position as shown in FIG. 7, in which the platform is disposed at a lesser angle to the table, to produce a proper bevel on the periphery of the'forepart portion of a sole; The proper angle of the platform in each position may be determined by adjustable stop members 69, and the tilting of the table from one position to another is elfected by fluid actuated cylinders Ci and C2 disposed under opposite ends of the table, said cylinders being connected to a source of fluid pressure through valve V1 in such a manner that when cylinder C1 is pressurized, cylinder C2 is 2;) open to exhaust, and vice versa. The valve V1 is controlled by solenoid Ll so arranged that when solenoid L1 is not energized, the valve V1 is positioned to apply pressure to cylinder C1 and to open cylinder C2 to exhaust to maintain the platform at the proper angle, as shown in FIG. 6, for cutting the steeper bevel on the shank portion of a sole. Energization of solenoid L1 shifts valve V1 to open cylinder C1 to exhaust, and apply pressure to cylinder C2, to shift the platform to the proper angle as shown in FIG. 7, for operation on the forepart of a sole.

In the illustrated embodiment, the solenoid L1 is normally de-energized at the start and at the finish of an operating cycle of the machine, and is automatically energized and de-energized during the machine cycle by means to appear hereinafter.

The platform 59 also carries sole edge guide members 62 and 64 which project upwardly therefrom, and are disposed in appropriate relation to the feed wheel 25 and the cutting wheel 18 to provide proper guiding of the sole during the outing operation. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rotation of the feed wheel tends to force the sole edge against the two guide members, and the inclined teeth 49, during such rotation serve as worm gear means to cause the sole to move past the gages under the cutter. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutter rotates in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9. Hence during the cutting operation, the portion of the sole just ahead of the cutting position is in contact with the guide means at two spaced points, and the orientation of the sole in passing through the machine varies in accordance with the variations in contour of the sole edge as it passes the guide members. This change in orientation of the sole is utilized to actuate the platform tilting means in a manner now to be described.

Disposed about the cutting position are photo-responsive devices P1, P2 and P3, each of which is positioned so as to be covered by a portion of the sole at a predetermined time during the cutting operation. To provide the necessary illumination to actuate the photo-responsive devices, lights 66 and 68 are provided above the Work table, said lights also serving to illuminate the work area. In the illustrated embodiment the devices P1, P2, and P3 are photo-generative devices, the output of which is fed into a suitable amplifier (A1, A2, A3) to actuate relays R1, R2 and R3. The photo cells normally receive light from the lamps 66 and 68, and since it is desired to actuate the relay when the cells are covered by the sole, the amplifier may incorporate bias means normally to oppose the voltage produced by the cells, so that when the cell is covered by a portion of a sole, and the cell voltage falls substantially, the bias voltage applied to the ampli fier actuates the relay.

As hereinafter described, the machine is adapted for use in operating on a sole 70 on which it is desired to provide a relatively thin peripheral edge 72 on the shank portion 74, and a somewhat thicker pheripheral edge 76 on the forepart 78, with the periphery of the upper side of the sole being provided with a roughened portion 8% for the reception of attaching cement. The desired edge thickness is achieved by varying the angle of the platform 50, and consequently the angle of the plane of the solo in relation to the cutter by the means previously described.

When the machine is used for operating on soles in the manner described, for example on a right sole, it is customary to feed the left edge of the sole through the machine, starting at the heel end. For this reason at the start of an operation on a sole, the solenoid is de-energized, so that the platform is maintained in the position for operating on the shank portion of the sole.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is illustrated successive positions of the sole as the left or inner side thereby is fed through the cutter. Shortly after the start of the operation the changing contour of the portion of the sole edge in contact with the edge gages causes the sole to rotate counterclockwise as it moves into the cutter so that the forepart covers photo cell P3, as shown in position A. The covering of cell P3 momentarily actuates relay R3 through amplifier A3, but has no further elfect, since the switch RSS1 of relay R3 is in a circuit which includes relay switch RSS2, which is open during this part of the operation.

As the sole progresses through the cutter, the heel end moves to the left, and may move slightly either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on the configuration of the shank portion. With soles of certain sizes and configurations, the heel end may pass over photo cell P2, momentarily to actuate relay R2 and close switch R2S1. However, since switch R2S1 is in a circuit including switch R482, which is open during this part of the operation, no change in the table position occurs.

As the inner curve of the shank portion passes the guides, the sole swings clockwise so that the heel end reaches position B in FIGURE 8, to cover photo cell P1 which actuates relay I R1, thereby actuating relay R4, which closes switch R451, creating a holding circuit to relay R4, and closes switch R482.

As the ball line of the sole approaches the cutting position, the outside curve of this portion of the sole causes the sole to swing back in a counterclockwise direction. The cell P2 is so positioned that as the ball line reaches the cutting position, the cell P2 is covered by the heel end of the sole, thereby actuating relay R2 to close switch R281; Since switch R482 has previously been closed, this energizes relay R5. The energization of relay R5 closes switch RSS1 to establish a holding circuit to relay R5, closes switch RSS2 in the circuit to relay R6, and closes switch RSS3 to energize solenoid L1 and shift valve V1.

As hereinbefore described the shifting of valve V1 opens cylinder C1 to exhaust and admits pressure to cylinder C2, to cause the platform to shift from the position of FIG. 6 to the position of FIG. 7, so that the sole is disposed at the proper angle for operating on the forepart of the sole. The shifting of the platform angle occurs without interruption of the feeding movement, and

cutting continues along the left side of the forepart until the toe is reached. Thereafter the operator may remove the sole, turn it end for end and feed the sole back into the cutter, so that cutting commences on the right or outer side of the forepart. Since the desired angle of cut is the same on both sides of the forepart, no change in the position of the platform is necessary to commence the operation on the right side as above described.

As the operation on the right side proceeds around the forepart (see FIG. 9) the sole swings in a counterclockwise direction, from position D to position E where the heel portion covers photo-cell P3, illereby actuating relay R3, closing switch R381, completing a circuit through switch RSS2 (which is in the closed position) to relay The energization of relay R6 closes switch R631 to create a holding circuit, and closes switch R682 to energize time delay relay TR. The relay TR controls the operation of switch TRSl, which is normally closed, and is adapted to be opened a predetermined time after relay TR is energized. Referring again to FIG. 9, it is seen that when photo-cell P3 is covered to actuate the circuit elements as above described, the ball line of the sole has reached the cutting position. In some styles of shoes, it is desired to carry the forepart cut some distance rearwardly of the ball line on the outer side of the sole. For this reason the machine control circuit is so arranged that when photo-cell P3 is covered, thesolenoid L1 is not de energized directly, but instead is de-energized through the time delay relay. In the illustrated embodiment, the photo-cell P3 is covered when the sole reaches position E, however the time delay does not open switch TRSI until the sole reaches position F at which time point F-l 1s at the cutting position. The de-energization of the solenoid L1 shifts valve V1 back to the original position,

' to shift the platform back to the'position for operating on the shank portion. Thereafter the cutting operation continues to the heel end of the shoe.

' After the cutting operation is completed on the right side of a sole, the platform 50 remains in position for starting on the left side of the shank portion of the next sponsive devices P1, P2 and P3 are photo-generative devices, it will be understood that photo-resistive devices may be used with appropriate changes in the circuitry of the amplifiers. 1 In some cases it may be desirable to use other means for detecting the motion of the sole, such as capacitance responsive relays, or mechanical feeders.

The invention is illustrated herein as being applied to sole edge reducing, however the principles of the invention may be applied to other types of operations in other shoe parts.

Since certain other changes may be made in the device without departing from the scope of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained herein be interpreted in an illustrative and not in a limiting sense;

Having thus described our invention, what is claimed as new vand desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

' 1. 'A machine for reducing the marginal edge of a shoe part in which ditferent amounts of reduction are required in different portions of the edge, comprising reducing means, means for feeding the marginal edge of the shoe part past the reducing means, and photo-cell means responsive to movement of a portion of the shoe part into a predetermined position to etfect a change in the amount of reduction.

2. A machine for reducing the marginal edge of a shoe part in which difi'e'rent amounts of reduction are required on diiferent portions of the edge, comprising reducing means, support means disposed below the reducing means, said support means being adjustable in relation to the reducing means to efifect different amounts of reduction, means for feeding the shoe part over the support means and past the reducing means, and means responsive to movement of the shoe part into a predetermined position to effect adjustment of said support means.

3. A machine for reducing the marginal edge of a shoe part in which different amounts of reduction are required on different portions of the edge, comprising a cutter, support means disposed below the cutter, said support means being tiltable to efiect different amounts of reduction of the marginal edge of a shoe part disposed thereon, means for feeding the shoe part over the support so that the marginal edge passes under the cutter, and means responsive to lateral turning of said shoe part during said feeding to change the angle of tilt of said support and thereby to change the amount of reduction of said mar: ginal edge.

4. A machine asset forth in claim 3 in which said means responsive to, lateral turning of said shoe part comprises a photo-responsive device positioned to detect the passage of a portion of the shoe part past a predetermined position.

5. .A machine for reducing the marginal edge of a shoe sole in which a greater amount of reduction is required on the edges of the shank portion than on the edges of the forepart portions comprising a cutter, a movable support disposed below the cutter, means for feeding a sole 7 over the support so that the marginal edge thereof passes the cutter, means for moving said support between a position in which a greater amount of reduction is effected and a position in which a lesser amount of reduction is effected, first photo-responsive means positioned to respond to the presence of the sole when a predetermined portion of the marginal edge on one side of the sole reaches the cutter, said first photo-responsive device being adapted on said response to actuate said means for moving said support to cause said support to move from one of said positions to the other of said positions, and second photo-responsive means positioned to respond to the presence of the sole when a predetermined portion of the marginal edge on the other side of the sole reaches the cutter, said second photo-responsive means being adapted on said response to actuate said means for moving said support to cause said support to move back to the original position.

6. A machine as set out in claim 5 in which means is provided to permit the response of said second photoresponsive deviceto actuate said means for moving the support only after said first photo-cell has responded to the presence of the sole.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,383,446 Winkley July 5, 1921 2,483,138 Helmer Sept. 27, 1949 3,072,081 Mulligan et a1. Jan. 8, 1963 

1. A MACHINE FOR REDUCING THE MARGINAL EDGE OF A SHOE PART IN WHICH DIFFERENT AMOUNTS OF REDUCTION ARE REQUIRED IN DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF THE EDGE, COMPRISING REDUCING MEANS, MEANS FOR FEEDING THE MARGINAL EDGE OF THE SHOE PART PAST THE REDUCING MEANS, AND PHOTO-CELL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENT OF A PORTION OF THE SHOE PART INTO A PREDETERMINED POSITION TO EFFECT A CHANGE IN THE AMOUNT OF REDUCTION. 